16 January, 2026 – Politics
A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt and presided over by Justice F. A. Fiberesima has issued an interim order restraining the Chief Judge of the state from receiving or acting on any impeachment notice against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu.
The order followed two separate suits filed by Governor Fubara and his deputy through a motion ex parte.
The suits arose from a move by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who on Friday formally requested the Chief Judge to constitute a panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against the governor and his deputy.
The lawmakers, who said the decision was reached unanimously, insisted on proceeding with the impeachment after earlier accusing the governor of being “incorrigible” and declaring that the impeachment process would continue.The governor and his deputy therefore sought the intervention of the court to halt the process pending further legal proceedings.
In his ruling, Justice Fiberesima granted an interim injunction against the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and 32 other defendants, including the Clerk of the House and the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi.
The court specifically restrained the Chief Judge from receiving, forwarding, considering, or acting on any request, resolution, articles of impeachment, or related communication from the defendants for the purpose of constituting an investigative panel against the governor and his deputy for a period of seven days.
Justice Fiberesima also granted leave to the claimants to serve the interim order and all originating processes on the first to the 31st defendants by pasting the documents at the gate of the Rivers State House of Assembly quarters.
The court further directed that the processes meant for the 32nd defendant, the Chief Judge, be served through any staff of the judiciary at the Chief Judge’s chambers within the High Court premises.
The matter was adjourned to January 23, 2026, for the hearing of the motion on notice.
